The founding father of Saudi Arabia, King Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud (1876–1953), is famously quoted as saying, “The good or evil for us will come from Yemen.” To prevent or at least reduce the threats emerging from its backyard, the Saudi kingdom cultivated a vast network of patronage with tens of influential shaikhly families in Yemen. The most prominent of these are Bayt al-Ahmar of the Humran section of the al-Usaymat tribe of the powerful Hashid confederation, Bayat Abu Ras of Dhu Muhammad, and Bayt al-Shayef of Dhu Husayn of the large Bakil tribal confederation. Geographically, Hashid and Bakil dominate the northern and eastern areas around Sanaa and encircle the capital like a bracelet around a wrist.